City councillors to return to portfolios

THE City of Greater Geelong is re-instating the portfolio system for its councillors, following its removal by the city’s administrators.

Councillors held a special council meeting to approve the decision before the Community Focus Committee meeting, held at the Barrabool Hills Baptist Church in Highton on Tuesday.

There are 14 portfolios, with two councillors appointed as chair and deputy chair, respectively to each portfolio.

Councillors will serve in their portfolios for two years, at which time the positions will be reviewed.

Deputy mayor Peter Murrihy welcomed the return of the portfolios.

“When we move around the community, that’d be probably one of the most important questions that people ask – ‘what are you doing about the portfolios?’ – but I can tell you, they’re back!” he said.

The 14 portfolios, and their chairs and deputy chairs, are:

• Community health and safety – Cr Kylie Grzybek, Cr Jim Mason
• An inclusive and diverse community – Cr Sarah Mansfield, Cr Kylie Grzybek
• Social and infrastructure planning – Cr Peter Murrihy, Cr Anthony Aitken (co-chairs)
• Sustainable development – Cr Jim Mason, Cr Stephanie Asher
• Environment and sustainability – Cr Sarah Mansfield, Cr Jim Mason
• Arts and culture – Cr Jim Mason, Cr Pat Murnane
• Transportation and connections – Cr Eddy Kontelj, Cr Ron Nelson
• Economic development – Cr Bruce Harwood, Cr Trent Sullivan
• Tourism and events – Cr Ron Nelson, Cr Peter Murrihy
• Leadership and governance – Cr Bruce Harwood, Cr Kylie Grzybek
• Veterans’ affairs – Cr Eddy Kontelj, Cr Trent Sullivan
• Finance – Cr Pat Murnane, Cr Bruce Harwood
• Strategy and communications – Cr Stephanie Asher, Cr Bruce Harwood
• Disability access and inclusion – Cr Anthony Aitken, Cr Bruce Harwood

There were several matters raised during question time at the Community Focus Committee, including the city’s Domestic Animal Management Plan, bushfire management of land in Highton (coincidentally visible from the Barrabool Hills Baptist Church), opposition to the Nuchev goat farm in Lara and the potential location of the long-awaited Geelong convention centre.

The next Community Focus Committee meeting will again be held at the Barrabool Hills Baptist Church on April 10.